Quick Facts: Maine

Maine is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and south; New Hampshire to the west; and the Canadian provinces of Quebec to the northwest and New Brunswick to the northeast.

ABBREVIATION: ME
NICKNAME: The Pine Tree State
POPULATION: 1,405,012 (2024 est.)
CAPITAL: Augusta
STATE BIRD: Chickadee
STATE FLOWER: White Pine Cone And Tassel
AREA: 35,385 sq. mi.
TIME ZONE: Eastern
ENTERED UNION: Mar. 15, 1820
ALTITUDE: High, 5,270 ft. Mount Katahdin
CLIMATE: Long cold winters, short cool summers; moderate rainfall.

By airline the distance along the Maine coast from the New Hampshire boundary in the south to the Canadian border in the north is only 248 miles. But so irregularly does the coastline run along the bays and inlets that it would be 3,478 miles long if stretched out straight.

Offshore, patient Maine fishermen probe the Atlantic for sardines, lobster and ocean perch. Inland, sportsmen find serene seclusion in the state’s more than 5,000 streams and 2,500 lakes. Around the waters, a rustling splendor of forests shelter partridge and woodcock, deer and bear.

While tourism is the state’s major source of income-supporting on average 85,000 jobs- Maine also depends heavily on its pulp and paper industry; Maine has the largest paper-production capacity of any state in the nation. Everything from fine writing paper to coarse binding and chip board is made from softwoods of Maine’s forests.

From its hardwoods, manufacturers produce a range of products from toothpicks to yacht hulls. Despite extensive cutting-and thanks to aggressive replanting- timber is more than plentiful. In the northwest of the state stretches one of the few remaining preserves in the United States.

Lighthouse near Acadia National Park, Maine

In the 18th and 19th centuries, Maine was home to many shipyards that produced wooden sailing ships. The main function of these ships was to transport either cargo, or passengers overseas. The building of very large wooden sailing ships continued in some places well into the early 20th century. Today, ship building continues to be a major industry in Maine, with wooded ship building replaced with steel construction.

Fun Facts:

Sunrise in the lower 48 states occurs first at West Quoddy Head, the easternmost point of land on the mainland of the United States.
The French colony of Acadia, which was first settled in 1604-three years before the first British colony at Jamestown-included part of what is now Maine. One third of the state’s population is of French descent and 7 percent are French speaking.
Maine covers nearly as much area as the other five New England states combined.
Acadia is the only national park in New England. The park’s Cadillac Mountain is the highest point along the Atlantic coast of North America.
Maine is the only state in the United States whose name is just one syllable.
Almost all of the blueberries produced in the United States come from Maine (about 99 percent).

History:

Maine, the most northeastern state in the United States, has a rich and complex history shaped by Native American heritage, European colonization, maritime trade, and rugged independence. Its journey from indigenous lands to a distinct statehood offers a compelling narrative of cultural exchange, conflict, and resilience.

Before European contact, the region now known as Maine was inhabited by several Native American tribes, primarily the Wabanaki Confederacy, which includes the Penobscot, Passamaquoddy, Maliseet, and Mi’kmaq peoples.

These tribes lived in harmony with the land, relying on fishing, hunting, and seasonal agriculture. They developed extensive trade networks and maintained a deep spiritual connection to the environment.

In the early 1600s, European explorers arrived along Maine’s rocky coast. French explorer Samuel de Champlain mapped the area in 1604 and established a short-lived settlement on Saint Croix Island. The English followed soon after, founding fishing and trading posts.

However, the harsh climate and conflicts with Native Americans and the French made early colonization difficult. The territory frequently changed hands between the French and British during the 17th and early 18th centuries, particularly during the French and Indian Wars.

By the mid-1700s, British control solidified in the region. Settlers moved inland, establishing small farms and towns. During the American Revolutionary War, Maine—then part of the Massachusetts colony—was a site of several skirmishes, including the ill-fated Penobscot Expedition in 1779, one of the worst naval defeats for the Americans during the war.

After the Revolution, the people of Maine began to develop a distinct identity separate from Massachusetts. Geographically isolated and economically divergent, many Maine residents felt neglected by the Massachusetts government. The War of 1812 further highlighted this divide, as British forces occupied parts of eastern Maine with little support from Boston.

This sparked a movement for independence, and after several attempts, Maine officially separated from Massachusetts and became the 23rd state on March 15, 1820, as part of the Missouri Compromise.

Throughout the 19th century, Maine developed a strong maritime economy centered on shipbuilding, fishing, and trade. Portland, the largest city, grew into a vital port. Maine also became a leader in the lumber industry, with vast forests supplying timber to growing cities across the Northeast.

The state was notable in the abolitionist movement and was one of the first to outlaw alcohol, giving rise to the national Prohibition movement.

In the 20th century, Maine’s economy diversified with the rise of manufacturing, although many traditional industries declined in the postwar period. Tourism grew in importance as people were drawn to Maine’s natural beauty—its rocky coastlines, lighthouses, and dense forests.

Today, Maine is known for its independent spirit, strong environmental values, and cultural contributions, including literature from authors like Stephen King.

Maine’s history is a story of perseverance in the face of geographic and political challenges. From its indigenous roots to its place in modern America, the state has remained a unique and vital part of the nation’s fabric.